Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – June 12, 2023
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Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – June 12, 2023
The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. Vice Chair Isela Ortiz presided in the absence of Chair Priscilla Enriquez. The meeting was called to order at 2:01 PM and adjourned at 4:04 PM. Commissioners present: Bautista, Blair, Naranjo, Lavulo, Mehta, Smith, Anderson, Winlock, and Ortiz. Commissioners absent: Wilson Ramey and Enriquez.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the May 8, 2023 meeting. Motion by Commissioner Winlock, seconded by Commissioner Naranjo. All present commissioners voted aye.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2 – Capital Region Creative Corps Program Grants: Two members of the public spoke in support. Shade Jay, creative director for Justice to Jobs, described their project addressing the marginalization of black girls and urged approval. Lambert Davis expressed support for the program and highlighted his own family business.
- Item 3 – Public Review Draft of the Sacramento 2040 General Plan: No public comments were made on this item.
- Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda: Several speakers from the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento raised concerns about being given a 30-day notice to vacate their space at Clara Studio for the Performing Arts. Sara Borge, the center’s CEO, stated she had invested $80,000 and alleged lack of transparency. Giovanna Abrucesi described a traumatic incident and felt disregarded. Christina McCain, a board member, noted the center’s eight-year tenancy and low-cost cultural services. Caitlin O’Neill highlighted the loss of affordable Portuguese classes. Zindy Camargo asked the city to investigate Clara’s management. Lambert Davis also commented on the Grant High School drumline’s funding deficit and shared his business update.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – Capital Region Creative Corps Program Grants 2023-24: Melissa Cirone presented the program, funded by a $4.75 million California Arts Council grant. The program aims to employ artists for communications campaigns on civic engagement, climate, public health, and social justice. The panel recommended 26 grants totaling $3,957,000 (5 large grants of $300,000 each and 21 mid-size grants of $117,000 each). 70% of funds must go directly to artists, supporting 558 artists. Commissioners praised the diversity of grantees and panelists. Questions focused on program sustainability, documentation, and alignment with the Creative Edge Plan. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval and forward the five grants over $250,000 to City Council.
- Item 3 – Public Review Draft of the Sacramento 2040 General Plan: Amy Yang and Remi Mendoza presented the draft, highlighting policies for arts and culture, infill development, anti-displacement, and live-work spaces. Commissioners discussed parking, gentrification, digital art studios, and the need for arts facilities. The item was for review and comment only; no vote was taken.
- Director’s Report: Megan Van Voorhis reported on the Capital Area Development Authority (CADA) project at 8th & R Street (242 units with arts focus), the Creative Business Innovation Challenge cohort, the Florin Community Beautification Project murals, the upcoming Music Census release, and the Creative Economy Manager recruitment. She noted that the Creative Corps program directly supports the Creative Edge Plan’s goal of artists as civic leaders.
- Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions: Commissioners shared upcoming events: a gallery opening on Del Paso Boulevard (June 17), a Frida celebration at Wynn Park (July 8), and a free dance performance at Ali Youssefi Square (June 17). Commissioner Naranjo proposed a mural in honor of Tyre Nichols. Commissioner Winlock was recognized at the California Lawyers for the Arts awards. Several commissioners supported the idea of having artists perform or present at future meetings.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
- Item 2 – Capital Region Creative Corps Program Grants: Motion passed unanimously to (1) award 26 grants in the not-to-exceed amount of $3,957,000, and (2) recommend the five grants exceeding $250,000 to City Council for review.
- Item 3 – Sacramento 2040 General Plan: Received and commented on; no action required.
- Public Comments: No action taken; comments were received and noted for follow-up.
- Next Steps: Staff will continue outreach on the General Plan through August 2023. The Creative Corps grant awards will proceed pending City Council approval for large grants. The Music Census findings will be released soon.
Meeting Transcript
Vice Chair staff is ready when you are. Thank you. All right. Good afternoon and welcome to the June 12th, uh Monday, June 12th. That is May. This is 2023, 2 p.m. meeting of the Sacramento Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Commission. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioners, if I could please have you unmute your microphones. Commissioner Anderson. Here Commissioner Bautista? Here. Commissioner Blair? Here. Commissioner Lavulo? Here. Commissioner Meta? Here. Commissioner Naranjo? Here. Commissioner Smith. Here. Commissioner Wilson Raimi. Is absent. Commissioner Winlock. Here. Vice Chair Ortiz? Yeah. Chair Enriquez is absent. Thank you. We have a quorum. I would like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. For members of the public who wish to join virtually, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. Once you have joined the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide public comment when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period on your desired item. If you're online, click on raise hand at the bottom of your screen. If you're in the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. And then if you're on uh calling in via telephone to raise your hand, dial star nine, then to mute or unmute, dial star six. Speakers will be called on by the last four digits of their phone number. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips, and the raise hand feature in Zoom will be disabled. We will now proceed with today's agenda. Please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. To the people, to the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Potwyn Winton peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please stay standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
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